Sponsor

Sponsor

Mahler letters

Earlier this fall while on a layover at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, a representative from the New York Philharmonic met briefly with a representative from The Schubert Club.

The two exchanged a package.

Gustav MahlerPhoto courtesy: Getty Images

The small size of that package belies its precious contents: Five letters written by Gustav Mahler to his handpicked concertmaster, Theodore Spiering.

Mahler served in the Philharmonic as its principal conductor from 1909 until his death in 1911.

These letters are hand-written, and deal with some of the formalities of work as the second-in-command of the orchestra. But they also show a more personal and sweet side of Mahler, as well as shed light on some of the frustrations he experienced as a working musician.

A letter from Mahler in the TyrolPhoto courtesy: The Schubert Club

The letters are part of the Gilman Ordway Manuscript Collection curated by The Schubert Club.

Started in 1984, the collection numbers more than 100 pieces of correspondence from famous musicians, as well as signed photographs. Items are on display at the St. Paul Public Library and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, as well as in a newly remodeled and expanded museum space re-opening at the Landmark Center in late November.

As this year marks the 100th anniversary of Mahler's work with the New York Philharmonic, the letters have left St. Paul and will be displayed in a special exhibit in New York honoring Mahler's legacy.

Gallery

Gustav Mahler's letter offering Theodore Spiering the position of Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic.Photo courtesy: The Schubert ClubView full galleryVienna, 7 May 1909
Dear Mr. Spiering, I am herewith engaging you as first concertmaster of the Philharmonic Society of New York under certain stipulations. 1. You will be in New York the third week of October 1909, and the day after your arrival you will present yourself to the Society and you will be at their disposal. 2. Your contract will be from this date to April 1, 1910 inclusive. 3. You will receive as a salary $5000.00 and a free trip from Berlin to New York. 4. For a solo number that you play you will receive $200.00 extra. Yours very sincerely, Gustav MahlerPhoto courtesy: The Schubert ClubDear Mr. Spiering, I just received the information from the New York management that they ordered a cabin First Class on the Kaiser Wilhelm II and will send you the ticket soon. Without knowing that you changed your address, I gave them your last address at the Bergstrasse, the same place where I also addressed a letter to you on the 2nd. I hope all your mail will be forwarded to you. Heartily yours, MahlerPhoto courtesy: The Schubert ClubMy Dear Mr. Spiering: Many thanks for your friendly lines. You have expressed your wishes so clearly, and I recognize fully the justification of your viewpoint and will go ahead as you suggest. I only ask you kindly to designate which of the listed concertos will appeal to you. I - Beethoven - II - Mendelssohn - III - Brahms - furthermore what you would like to play first (aside from the above). But I must acknowledge that I consider it necessary to begin with a work of sterling merit and not with a bravura piece a la Vieuxtemps, Bruch, etc.Photo courtesy: The Schubert ClubWe are somewhat handicapped in our choice due to the engagement of Mr. Kreisler and Maud Powell, but I shall try however to give you the first consideration in this regard, since I am not bound in any way. I am now planning my programs, and shall send you the result. I too am looking forward to having you as my traveling companion. I forgot to mention and I ask you to let me know whether you would like to have some pay in advance and whether you would like to have me arrange that your passage is paid from New York. Please be perfectly frank. We musicians are not expected to be capitalists - we only have to be able to conduct well or play the violin well. My wife joins me in sending hearty greetings to you and to your wife. MahlerPhoto courtesy: The Schubert ClubDear Mr. Spiering: I take for granted that you have received all of your letters as far as I can remember they were the answers to my inquiries. Since then I have started a lengthy composition, in which I am completely buried. Will you please excuse therefore that you have not heard from me for so long. The first program will be: Beethoven - Consecration of the House Beethoven - Eroica Liszt - Mazeppa Strauss - Till EulenspiegelPhoto courtesy: The Schubert ClubThe second concert evening is our first historical concert. May I ask you to play the Bach violin concerto. A piano part (continuo) would have to be added, for I find that Bach's and Handel's works without a continuo sound distorted. Do you perhaps know whether such an arrangement exists? I shall remain here until the end of August - after that date I will be in Vienna. I shall be happy to see you again on Board the Kaiser Wilhelm. I greet you heartily. MahlerPhoto courtesy: The Schubert ClubMy Dear Spiering: I am sitting here in Munich and am rehearsing to the utmost of my strength on my Eighth Symphony. I miss you very much. The concertmaster is fair, but without any deeper understanding and has no influence on the orchestra. I hope that I shall see you here in September. I have received no news from America. As you know, due to my insisting, a good manager has been engaged, but to my displeasure he has suggested and arranged 65 concerts for the season. He maintains that without this increase in concerts he will not be able to insure a financial success. I asked for a small increase of my salary, on account of the added amount of work. My contract only calls for 45 concerts. My request however, was not granted by the committee, so I shall just have to abide by my contract. I have submitted my decision to the committee, but have heard nothing since then. I greet you heartily and thank your wife for her dear lines. I hope that I shall meet her this year. My wife also sends hearty greetings. MahlerPhoto courtesy: The Schubert ClubMahler writes his new concertmaster Theodore Spiering in BerlinPhoto courtesy: The Schubert Club